I ran across this free video player, called video.maru, that allows you to play FLVs without using the FLVPlayback component, and without writing even one line of ActionScript.

http://polygeek.com/videomaru/

Seems like a good solution for those who just don’t want to deal with AS, period. His implementation is really quite clever, and pretty intuitive. Worth a look for those just getting started with Flash video and know they don’t want too many custom features.

Wow. Renee and I just returned from Minneapolis, where we were speaking at the Flashbelt conference. What an incredible event! A relatively small conference, with less than 500 attendees… and an all-star lineup of speakers. From Andre Michele to Josh Davis; from Jared Tarbell to Geoff Sterns. The feel of the conference was very open and friendly, with inspirational and informative dialog during and after sessions, and over drinks at the incredible after parties. The midwest knows how to do it up right.

We gave two sessions: Renee and I presented “Flash Video: The Basics and Beyond!” and I presented “Flash Video Crash Course.” As promised, here are the examples and resources from the talks [BEYOND talk to come]. Thanks to all that attended!

http://www.flashconnections.com/flashbelt07/

The folks as FF have graciously given me a discount link to share with you, the dear reader. You can save $50* at the FlashForward registration checkout with this code: LN231BST

Cya there!
*Does not apply to Film Festival/Expo Hall Pass

Flash Video: The Basics and Beyond!

Thanks to everyone who attended our session kicking off this year’s Flash in the Can festivities in Toronto. Here’s a link to grab the source files. We’ve included AS3 versions as well.

http://www.flashconnections.com/fitc07toronto/

Remember, all these examples (and much, much more…) are in our upcoming book, Flash Video for Professionals. Follow the link in our previous post to preorder on Amazon!

Renée and I are currently working on Flash Video for Professionals, to be published by Wiley, and it’s now available for pre-order on Amazon! You can buy it here: Flash Video for Professionals: Expert Techniques for Integrating Video on the Web. We’ll also be posting some excerpts here to give you an idea of what we’re working on as we finish it up. Feel free to leave comments, feedback and requests!

As promised, here are the links to resources and references from our Flash in the Can Hollywood presentation, “Are You a Freelancer or a Business?” Thanks to everyone who made it out, and we look forward to FitC Toronto in the spring!

Business Style

Go it Alone!

The E-Myth Revisited

Focus : The Future of Your Company Depends on It

Successful Freelancing: The Complete Guide to Establishing and Running Any Kind of Freelance Business

Full-time freelancing : 10 things learned in 180 days

The Nuts and Bolts of Launching a Career in Freelancing or Consulting

The Creative Business Guide to Running a Graphic Design Business

Tools

Complete Idiot’s Guide to Business Plans

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

Starting a Business

Basecamp

Clients and Profits

Web ReDesign 2.0: Workflow that Works

Industry

No Logo

How to Ruin a Web Design – The Design Curve

Contracts & Money

Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines

Business Taxes

How to Create a Freelancing Contract

Business and Legal Forms for Graphic Designers

Howard J. Samuels, CPA, MST
S&C LLP – Certified Public Accountants
65 Broadway, 8th floor
NY, NY 10006
hsamuels (at) s-cllp.com